Privacy Policy
Criterion Expert Partners ("Criterion," "we," "us," or "our") operates the website at criterionexpertpartners.com and provides expert witness consulting and placement services to litigation firms and expert witnesses. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and protect information submitted through our website and in the course of our services.
By using our website or submitting information through our forms, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
Information you submit directly
When you submit a case intake form or expert panel application through our website, we collect the information you provide in those forms. For law firm inquiries this includes:
- Firm name, attorney name, email address, and phone number
- Case details including practice area, expert specialty needed, jurisdiction, and timeline
- A description of the case and the role the expert will need to fulfill
For expert panel applications this includes:
- Full name, email address, and phone number
- Current institution, role, practice setting, and professional website or profile link
- Primary and secondary specialty, services offered, and states of licensure
- Prior expert witness experience, availability, and fee structure
- A link to your CV or resume
Information collected automatically
When you visit our website, we may collect standard web analytics data through services such as Google Analytics. This includes your approximate geographic location, browser type, pages visited, and time spent on the site. This data is aggregated and used solely to understand how our website is used and to improve it. We do not sell or share this data with third parties for marketing purposes.
2. How We Use Information
We use the information you submit for the following purposes:
- To process and respond to case intake requests and identify qualified expert witnesses
- To evaluate expert panel applications and conduct vetting and background screening
- To communicate with you regarding your inquiry, request, or application
- To match law firms with appropriate expert witnesses and coordinate engagements
- To maintain records of our client and panel relationships for operational purposes
- To comply with applicable legal obligations
We do not use your information for advertising, marketing to third parties, or any purpose unrelated to the services you have requested.
3. How We Share Information
Criterion does not sell personal information. We share information only in the following limited circumstances:
With expert witnesses in connection with a case match
When we present an expert candidate to a law firm, we may share limited case information with that candidate sufficient to allow them to assess their interest and qualifications. We share only what is necessary for this purpose and only after the candidate has been screened for conflicts. Law firm identity and case details are disclosed only to the degree required for the candidate to evaluate the opportunity.
With service providers
We use third-party service providers to operate our website and manage form submissions, including Formspree for form processing and Google Analytics for website analytics. These providers process data on our behalf and are bound by their own privacy policies and data processing agreements. They do not use your information for their own purposes.
As required by law
We may disclose information if required to do so by law, court order, or regulatory authority, or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of Criterion, our clients, or others.
4. Confidentiality
Case information submitted by law firms is treated as confidential. We understand that litigation strategy, client identity, and case details are sensitive and subject to professional obligations. All Criterion staff and panel members who have access to case information are subject to confidentiality obligations. We do not discuss or disclose case information beyond what is necessary to conduct the requested service.
Expert panel applications and panel membership information are similarly treated as confidential. An expert's panel status, credentials, or application information is not disclosed to attorneys or third parties except in the context of a specific case match for which the expert has been screened and found eligible.
5. Data Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect the information we collect from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Form submissions are transmitted using secure HTTPS connections. Access to client and expert data is restricted to personnel who require it to perform their job functions.
No method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. While we take the protection of your information seriously, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
6. Data Retention
We retain information submitted through our website and services for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, to maintain ongoing client and expert relationships, and to comply with applicable legal obligations. If you would like us to delete your information, please contact us at the address below and we will respond within a reasonable time.
7. California Privacy Rights
If you are a California resident, you may have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we have collected about you, the right to request deletion of that information, and the right to opt out of the sale of your personal information. Criterion does not sell personal information. To exercise your rights, please contact us at the address below.
8. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those sites, and we are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of our website or services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please contact us:
Criterion Expert Partners
Los Angeles, California
contact@criterionexpertpartners.com